Kenai Planning and Zoning elects chair, sets Nov. meeting and reviews year-end stats

The Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission elected Jenny Keaton chair and Alex Douthat vice chair at its Jan. 14 regular meeting and approved the agenda, including laydown materials. The commission also discussed scheduling and settled on a tentative meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., with the option to cancel if business does not require the date.

The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance and a roll call that established a quorum. Nominations for chair and vice chair were taken; Keaton was announced as chair after a paper-ballot tally and Alex Douthat was confirmed as vice chair when there were no objections.

The commission approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda, including laydown materials from staff. During new business commissioners discussed the end-of-year meeting schedule; staff noted Veterans Day and Thanksgiving conflicts and proposed alternatives, and commissioners agreed to hold a November meeting the week of the 17th if needed.

Planning Director Buettner presented a brief year-end report for 2025, noting that roughly 54% of planning business involved subdivisions and that the department is continuing code-enforcement efforts; Buettner said several enforcement cases are progressing toward fines. The director also summarized other recent items transmitted to the commission, including conditional-use permits and easements in surrounding areas.

Chair Keaton thanked members and staff and the commission closed with brief commissioner comments and no further public business. The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2026.